US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Declaration of Independence (9 12)
Read the full text of the Declaration of Independence, and get some other interesting information about it. Links at the bottom of the page explore the Declaration of Independence in fuller detail, including what the document is, who...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Declaration of Independence (3 5)
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students grades K-12. This site presents a brief description of the Declaration of the Independence. Links to related sites are available.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The Declaration of Independence
Overview of the men primarily responsible for writing and revising the Declaration of Independence. Includes links to the signers of the document, an image of the Declaration, and information on the drafting of the document.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Declaration of Independence
Written for students, a full text and explanation of the Declaration of Independence, its authors, and background in the American Revolution. Links to related resources.
Other
A Civic Framework for Community
A framework for discussing what it means to be a community, based on the principles in the Declaration of Independence and on the values Americans hold dear that form the basis of successful communities.
PBS
Pbs: Rediscovering George Washington
Discussion lesson plan that introduces and examines the concept of government by consent of the governed. Includes a reading for class distribution and references to primary source documents.
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas Jefferson, 1743 1826
Brief summary from the Library of Congress of Thomas Jefferson's involvement in the Declaration of Independence.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was the die cast into the river of Revolution. Read about the decisions made and the actions taken in preparation for declaring independence.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: E Pluribus Unum
The fact that the Second Continental Congress convened was evidence that the colonists had had enough from the British Parliament. Read about the ways the colonies finally began to work together and focus on a common plan, resulting in...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Declaration of Independence
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states " Congress...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Adams
Short, overweight, and quick-tongued, John Adams hardly fits the model of the typical Founder. But Adams's contributions to American independence and the formation of the United States government were great. Adams penned defenses of...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Hancock
Forever famous for his outsized signature on the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock was a larger than life figure in other ways as well. Part of the great Boston triumvirate that included Samuel Adams and James Otis, Hancock was a...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: John Jay
John Jay epitomized the selfless leader of the American Revolution. Born to a prominent New York family, John Jay gained notoriety as a lawyer in his home state. He favored a moderate approach to Britain but joined his fellow Patriots...
Wyzant
Wyzant: Claiming Freedom: The Declaration of Independence
Website with primary source material on the Declaration of Independence history, teaches students about why it was written, how it was recieved and accepted, and how it is structured.
US National Archives
National Archives: To Sign or Not to Sign
Use this lesson in the middle of a Revolutionary War unit. Students will analyze sections of the Declaration of Independence to answer critical thinking questions. Upon completion of the unit, students will reevaluate their responses to...
Other
Monticello: Brief Biography of Thomas Jefferson
Monticello.org provides a brief but detailed biography of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826 CE), 3rd President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Prequel to Independence
In this activity, students sequence key events leading to the Declaration of Independence by placing documents in chronological order.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
In this activity, students will review and analyze the founding documents of the United States and understand Benjamin Frankin's contributions and connections to these founding documents. Franklin was the only man to help shape all of...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Perspectives on the Fourth of July
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson plan from the online magazine, History Now, asks: How does the celebration of Fourth of July help us understand the ideals upon which the United States was founded?
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Politics in Colonial Virginia
This site explores the politics involved in Colonial Williamsburg, leading up to the American Revolution. Content focuses on famous speeches, documents, and influential people.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburgh: Meet the People: George Wythe
A short biographical sketch on George Wythe, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Virginia.
Read Works
Read Works: The Liberty Bell
[Free Registration/Login Required] Intended to support early elementary students' reading comprehension, Independence Hall's "Liberty Bell" is described in this informational text. Visual cues are provided to support the passage and...
Read Works
Read Works: Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Declaration of Independence and why it was written. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Analysis of the Declaration of Independence
[Free Registration/Login Required] This ReadWorks passage provides a brief analysis of the Declaration of Independence. A paired passage, a lower level passage with related content, a questions sheet, and an additional answer sheet are...